I believe in the Church of Baseball. I’ve tried all the major religions and most of the minor ones. And the only church that truly feeds the soul, day-in day-out, is the Church of Baseball. — Bull Durham (1988)
I know this is a little early — I haven’t even left for the coast yet — but I wanted to go ahead and post my upcoming Minor League Baseball tour dates, in case anyone wants to meet me at the ballpark:
Burlington Royals
8/21 (7:00) — I may or may not have bought two tickets to this game (online ordering sure is fun)
Greensboro Grasshoppers
8/22 (7:00) – Fireworks night
8/23 (2:00) — $1 hot dog night
Charlotte Knights
8/24 (7:05) — $1 hot dog night
Asheville Tourists
8/25 (7:05)
Hickory Crawdads
8/26 (7:00)
Kannapolis Intimidators
8/27 (7:05) – Cheap beer night
Durham Bulls
8/28 (7:05) – Fireworks night
Carolina Mudcats
8/29 (6:00) – Fireworks night
Before the Mudcats game, I also plan to go to the North Carolina Baseball Museum, 300 Stadium Street, Wilson (3:00; closes at 4:00)
Some of you have asked whether I will be attending games in places like Edenton, Wilson, and Holly Springs. While those towns and others do have semi-pro or amateur developmental league teams (most of which are in the Coastal Plain League), they are not officially Minor League Baseball teams. And besides, I’ve only got a week. I’ll try to catch a few games at these parks during my other drives. Or maybe dedicate an entirely different drive to those teams, which may get me much closer than this first trip to understanding the connections between baseball and being a North Carolinian.
In the meantime, you may be interested in this recent article in the Raleigh News & Observer (link opens in new window or tab).
Finally, my reading selection for this drive will be John Feinstein’s book about minor league baseball (now in paperback), Where Nobody Knows Your Name.
DriveNC 
Just read your post. Did you know that the Edenton Colonials were a great team in the late 40’s and early 50’s? I use to work in the Concession Stand for those games… popped popcorn and sold soft drinks and candy bars. The Concession Stand was to the left of the main stands right behind home plate and I could see most of the games, or at least part of them, from that position. The stands were always full as baseball then was a big deal in a lot of the small towns in North Carolina, especially in Easter North Carolina… sort of like I think the Steamers are in Edenton now, though I have not been to a Steamers’ game, but I do read about them every week in the Chowan Herald. It is a big deal again now with college baseball players playing for the summer league. They stay in the homes of people around town.
O also remember playing little league baseball for several years and I remember that we had to wear woolen uniforms and socks provided by local merchants, I believe, though none of their names were on the uniforms. Uniforms for the kids, too, was a big deal in those days. I think the coach ( same coach for all the teams) was employed by the school system to run that program. His name was George Thompson and I think he coached each of the sports at the high school in those days. I have fond memories of him.
Can’t wait for this road trip to begin!
LikeLike